Pappy Van Winkle 15 y.o. bourbon was my go to gift for 10 or 15 years. But that has gained cult-like status in these parts and is a tough find the last few years. Cognac is now my go to, unless I get lucky and stumble upon some Pappy.

Personally, I like buying food/wine/spirit gifts for people but it is pretty much entirely dependent on the person I'm giving them to.

For example I just bought a lovely Rhum Agricole as an early holiday gift for a colleague who has done me lots of favors (because he likes rum and doesn't know the Martiniquan versions) but for my in-laws it would be grappa. It all depends.